Membership of Schengen area?
Schengen news
- Microsoft files EU complaint over Google, Motorola - EurActiv
- MEP says Tymoshenko is mistreated in prison - EurActiv
- Lawmaker proposes 'Schengen area for waste', recycling - EurActiv
- Bansko Ski Show May Make the Dutch Change Their Mind on Bulgaria's Schengen Entry -...
- Independent Scotland 'may need passport controls at the English border' - Telegraph.co.uk
Membership of Schengen area?
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The Schengen Area currently consists of twenty-five state, all but three of which are members of the European Union (EU). Two of the non-EU members, Iceland and Norway, are part of the Nordic Passport Union and are officially classified as states which are associated with the Schengen activities of the EU. The third, Switzerland was subsequently allowed to participate in the same manner in 2008. De facto, the Schengen Area also includes several microstates which maintain an open or semi-open border with Schengen countries.
Before fully implementing the Schengen rules, each state needs to have its preparedness assessed in four areas: air borders, visas, police cooperation, and personal data protection. This evaluation process involves a questionnaire and visits of EU experts to selected institutions and workplaces of the country under assessment.
But be careful – the European Union and the Schengen area are two different zones! The list below will enable you to see the difference and check that the countries where you are planning to stay are all in the Schengen area.
List of Schengen countries
To find one of the embassies or consulates of one of those countries, click on the name of the country.
Additionally, AXA Schengen insurance covers Liechtenstein and, in some cases, the non-Schengen countries of the European Union.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 24 August 2010 07:54)